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Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon - Trail Run - Good Friday, 29 March 2013 ©Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon Organisers
Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon – Trail Run – Good Friday, 29 March 2013
Trail Run – Good Friday, 29 March 2013
The boom in trail running over the past few years prompted the Two Oceans Marathon race office to introduce its very own trail run through the forests above UCT offering inspiring vistas over the peninsula on Good Friday morning.
Both the Short and the Long runs start at the UCT grounds and take runners along the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak and nearby forests. Open to beginners and experienced trail runners, the challenging routes offer runners varied terrain with steep ascents and descents.
Please note that the minimum age for the 10km is 14 years of age and the minimum age for the 22km is 16 years of age.
Entry Fees (non refundable)
Substitutions will be allowed in the window period from 15 January to 5 March 2013. Substitutions done after 20 Feb will not be personalized.
10 km (optional to purchase an adidas climalite running T-shirt at R249)
| Runners who own a timing chip | R100 |
| Runners who do not own a timing chip | R220 |
Please note that entries in this race would be limited to 400.
22 km (includes an adidas climalite running T-shirt)
| Runners who own a timing chip | R450 |
| Runners who do not own a timing chip | R570 |
Please note that entries in this race would be limited to 400.
Some hints and tips for Two Oceans trailists!
- Water – carry your own! Either a hydration pack or hip belt bottle holder.
- The route is marked, but doing on route training is a good idea – maps are available on the website.
- Trail running has obstacles such as rocks, roots, branches and bushes – concentrate!
- Trail running times are often double for the same road running distance.
- Be prepared for the weather on the day, e.g. sun hat and lotion, or wind breaker and warm kit.
- If attempting to pass another runner on the single track, be polite.
- We are in a nature reserve so no litter of any sort please.
- Running in mountains takes you to remote areas.
- Enjoy the journey and the views.
The run starts at 07:00. Entries are limited in both events.
No entries are taken on race day.
Trail Routes
Both routes start from the University of Cape Town (UCT) grounds and will take runners along the lower slopes of Devil's Peak and adjacent forests. Beginner trail runners should enter the short distance, as trail running times are often double that of road running.
This is due to the variable terrain and the steep ascents and descents. Trail runners should wear trail shoes for better grip and carry their own hydration – a bladder pack or hip belt. Click here to download the route map (size 157kb).
Short Run (±10km)
Looping out of UCT on the ring road, the first k is a gradual uphill. Leaving the UCT grounds, you run a short section of tar, before swinging up onto Devil’s Peak with a “quaint” wake up hill. This leads you onto a contour trail that meanders through the forests and meets up with the main 'Plumpudding' jeep track. A speedy downhill takes you to the Pine forests and a long uphill climb to the start of the Woodcutters Trail, the Avatar indigenous forest section.
This is a beautiful contour path that crosses the Newlands stream, where a drink of water may be possible. Meeting up with a jeep track, the route heads down for 200 metres and then turns left, back to the Pines, crossing the river again. From the Pines you are on the home straight, but a technical winding downhill via the Oaks awaits you.
This bit of fun pops out at the Old Zoo and you are almost home. Cross the road and sprint the last few hundred meters to the finish line.
Route Elevation Profile
Alternative Profile (click for more detail)
Long Course (±22km)
This should be done by experienced trail runners, rather than beginners. The route is quite tough, with exposed cliff sections and one tricky downward scramble (marshals will be present). The first k is the UCT ring road loop, which takes you up to Rhodes Memorial. A gentle uphill to meet the Plumpudding track heading north around Devil's Peak towards Cape Town. These first few kays are very runable, with electric views of the harbour, Robben Island and the city.
The romance is interrupted with a nasty uphill grind (this is trail running after all), which meets the start of the short bundu bash – an unfinished road. This scratchy scramble takes you to the jeep tracks again, and your legs can calmly rotate until meeting the long uphill to the cannons. This lung buster has you reaching Tafelberg Road and some emergency water. The route crosses the road and takes the diagonal trail up to Oppelskop, where all your effort is rewarded with awesome views of Table Mountain.
Swinging left, you are on the Middle Traverse, a pleasant contour that loops you around Devil’s Peak to the blockhouse. The scramble down to the Block House is to be done at a slow and gentle pace, but you can speed up again once meeting the jeep track.
A nice shady downhill is next, followed by 'bastard hill' – an old trail that heads straight up the mountain.
Route Elevation Profile
Alternative Profile (click for more detail)
Expo
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo has become much more than just a running expo, and now includes top sporting brands, apparel, supplements, outdoor adventure sports and sporting tours, to name just a few.
It is an opportunity for all sport enthusiasts to experience the latest trends in the running and sporting arena and be part of the exciting atmosphere leading up to the ‘world’s most beautiful marathon’.
Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo
You’ve been training for months. Your body feels ready and your shoes don’t feel quite as heavy as they did when you started out.
The only thing left to do is pick up your race number before the big day, right? Maybe not.
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo is putting every aspect of your running, walking, hiking, trail running and healthy lifestyle, under one roof.
From the 27th – 29th March 2013, the Cape Town International Convention Centre will house an array of goods to meet every sports enthusiast’s needs.
From running shoes like the new adidas BOOSTtm to apparel, sports enhanced food, and literature – there is something for every active soul, race runner or not.
The motivation and inspiration you’ll get from seeing over 45,000 other runners and sports enthusiasts browsing around too? Well, that’s just a little something extra we’ve thrown in.
Meet the Old Mutual Virtual Coach before the race, or pick out some Thule carriers for your next off road adventure. Fuel your fun with the limited edition Power Through squeezebottle from Powerade, or some of the new products on display at the GU Energy Labs stand.
We know what you’re thinking, “Getting in to this event is free and open to everyone? These guys must really love sporty people and supporters!” We do.
Whether you’re browsing for “next year’s” gear, something you forgot to pack, or just looking…you’ll find everything you can think of and a little bit more, right here.
Click here to visit the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Website.
